Judge denies request to return seized property

APRIL CASTRO

Published 6:00 pm, Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Associated Press Writer

A Corpus Christi judge denied the request Thursday of an embattled South Texas Democratic donor to dismiss a search warrant over a provision that suggests he has been involved in illegal drug trafficking.

Mauricio Celis, a prolific donor to state and national Democratic candidates, was indicted by a Nueces County grand jury on four charges, including perjury, theft, falsely holding himself out as a lawyer and impersonating a police officer.

Attorneys for Celis had requested that officials return the property seized in the search because of the statement they said was misleading.

"We are disappointed in the judge's decision. He is wrong," said Tony Canales. "We proved that Celis is not involved in a money laundering scheme. There are two sides to every story, and at the right time we will demonstrate that Mauricio should be acquitted."

An investigator from the office of Attorney General Greg Abbott made the statements in the request to raid Mauricio Celis' offices earlier this month. Officers seized business records and computer equipment from his office.

"We're pleased with the judge's decision and we'll move forward with the investigation," said Abbott spokesman Jerry Strickland.

The warrant, signed by state district Judge Tom Greenwell, says that Alex Pena, an officer of Abbott's office, "knows that on many occasions Mauricio Celis traveled to Mexico shortly after the withdrawal of large sums of cash … in addition to leading a flamboyant lifestyle, Mauricio Celis is rumored to be associated with questionable criminal element possibly related to drug trafficking."

The warrant names Raul Armando Winder, an associate of Celis', and claims he "is a former Mexican police officer and has been employed as a pilot in the past by certain individuals linked to narco-trafficking."

Defense attorneys called the suggestion a "horrendous inaccuracy."

"This is a legitimate businessman and these kinds of allegations are devastating," said Jo Ellen Hewins, one of Celis' attorneys. "We wanted to get in front of the court the kind of careless accusations that are made by the people in this case."

Celis is the subject of several legal challenges based on allegations that he practiced law without a license.

Abbott, a Republican, also has sued Celis, accusing him of practicing law without a license. The Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee also has sued Celis and CGT, claiming the firm improperly shared legal fees.